11 things you need to know about Bloodborne on PS4

Creator Hidetaka Miyazaki reveals more about his forthcoming action RPG

A brand new game, currently being developed by FromSoftware, was announced along with an exciting new trailer during the Sony stage show at E3. We jumped at the chance to sit down with the game’s director, Hidetaka Miyazaki, and try to glean as much information as we could about this dark new title. Here are 11 things you need to know.

1. This is not a sequel

FromSoftware are perhaps most famous for creating Demon’s Souls, Dark Souls and Dark Souls II. Miyazaki himself was even the director of both Demon’s Souls and Dark Souls, but he explained, “Players that have experienced the other games I have directed are going to see some familiarities, but this is not a sequel…you’re going to find something new in Bloodborne…your gameplay experience is going to be more intense…it will be heightened.”

2. Explore the unknown

Set in the fictional, sprawling city of Yharnham, the 19th century setting is dark and foreboding. FromSoftware are keeping the details of the story of Bloodborne under wraps, but Miyazaki did tell us, “One of the most important aspects we are focusing on whilst we make Bloodborne is the exploration of the unknown” – players will have a massive area of the city of Yharnham, and you’ll be encouraged to explore it to unravel “a universe laden with mystery.”

3. Something beastly this way comes

As you journey along the dingy alleyways, strange cloaked figures and deformed figures will lurch out of the darkness to attack you at almost every turn. On top of that, “there are moments, like the ominous banging of these gates in the city, where we’re telling you that some huge beast is coming.”

4. There’s something deeply wrong in Yharnham

On top of the bleak colour palette and shadows of the city, something else is amiss, “the city has been stricken by a plague, and those afflicted transform into hideous beasts” – what’s more, “the citizens around are unaware that they too are afflicted.”

5. Fight for your life

Miyazaki is known for creating games with an enjoyably challenging difficulty level, and Bloodborne will be no different, “You’re going to constantly feel terror because when you face each enemy, you will also face death. Every fight could be your last.”

6. A weapon in each hand

Bloodborne isn’t going to send you out to face the hordes unaided – players will arm themselves with a satisfyingly powerful shotgun in their left hand, as well as a scythe-like weapon in their right.

7. Passive aggressive

Whilst wading right into a crowd of enemies is clearly a strategy that will quickly have you in a body bag, trying to stay out of the fight isn’t necessarily going to work, “You’re going to have to face up to enemies quickly or else become overwhelmed.”

8. Your weapons transform as you use them

Miyazaki showed off a melee weapon that was part scythe, part saw. What was most interesting about it is that players can employ different techniques to cause the weapon to transform as you are fighting. This will be one of the key ways in which players will need to adapt their techniques to tackle bosses, and customise their characters to suit their style, “with each transformation of your weapon comes a different play style.”

9. Shifting enemies

During the level we were shown, the citizens of Yharnham were hunting the beasts that are plaguing the city. During one section, they crowded around a makeshift pyre to set alight a slain monster, allowing us to creep around the outskirts unnoticed. However this didn’t last long – soon a bell sounded from deep within the city and the rabble recommenced their hunt. Miyazaki said, “The game is going to challenge you as the environment changes and enemies move around the level in unexpected ways.”

10. Helpful fellow

As you fight through Yharnham, you’ll occasionally meet other hunters in trouble, and you can choose whether to help or not, “You have that option, if you’re compassionate… And those characters might even come back later to lend a hand and help even the odds.”

11. Up close and personal

For anyone hoping to keep enemies at (more than) arm’s length, hurting enemies whilst staying well out of their reach in order to stay alive, Bloodborne might already be one step ahead of you. Miyazaki confirmed “close range combat is going to be the focus of the game”, but also hinted at some of the tricks you’ll have up your sleeve…

Expect a ton of new information on Bloodborne in the coming months, right here on PlayStation.Blog.

Comments

Wait, does that mean the shotgun and scythe are the only weapons in the game? Or is that just an example of the weaponry? Im starting to get worried this will be more action and even less rpg than before…these piecemeal bits of information that tell us nothing specific and no video of gameplay to top it off is really sketchy IMO.

Im getting more cautious now. I still trut Miyazaki and his team but i will contain my hype for now…

This example Bloodborne isn’t going to send you out to face the hordes unaided – players will arm themselves with a satisfyingly powerful shotgun in their left hand, as well as a scythe-like weapon in their right.

Is not really worded in a way that gives the impression there are more weapons.

And the scythe morphing into saw, thats the same scythe as the aforementioned paragraph.

I think there will be more weapons and armour ect. When they showed of Demon’s and Dark Souls 1 and 2. They always showed the same guy in the same armour using the same weapons. It is the dame with Bloodborne over the next few months. We will just be seeing what we have seen dude in black clothing with a shotgun in one hand and a scythe in the other.

I have no doubt there will be more weapons and armour. However there is one thing I am worried about. Shields will we be able to use shields. Am pretty sure we can but noting has been mentioned. I noticed in some screen shots enemies carrying wooden shields so it give me a lot of hope.

It has two categories of weapons, one Shotguns and other one is based on Scythe. These weapons act differently by tweaking them using techniques and the weapon will transform to give different style to play.

8. Your weapons transform as you use them

Miyazaki showed off a melee weapon that was part scythe, part saw. What was most interesting about it is that players can employ different techniques to cause the weapon to transform as you are fighting. This will be one of the key ways in which players will need to adapt their techniques to tackle bosses, and customise their characters to suit their style, “with each transformation of your weapon comes a different play style.”

Not sure how I feel about shotgun+scythe as a combo, maybe because it still has the feels of a souls game and shotgun doesn’t fit there (imo), but as Jon Snow, ‘I know nothing’ about this game yet ;p I’m sure it will be something unique and that is enough for me! One of the most wanted titles for sure! Definitely keeping an eye out for it!

P.s. according to polygon weapons/armor/looks etc will all be customizable like in souls games .. I think one of the points in this article makes it seem as if the shotgun+scythe/saw are the only weapons in game. If this is true it’s a shame but I’m still excited .. (I doubt it’s true .. polygon article said they got their info from Mr Miyazaki if I’m not mistaken.) and if it isn’t true you guys are making people all worried for no reason XD